Ahmedabad, June 7, 2025 — In a major upset that could reshape the dynamics of Ultimate Table Tennis Season 6, 20-year-old Indian paddler Yashaswini Ghorpade stunned former world No. 11 Fan Siqi of China to guide U Mumba TT to a 9–6 victory over the Chennai Lions.
A Landmark Win for Indian Table Tennis
Ghorpade, who made her UTT debut in 2023, displayed exceptional poise and aggression against Fan Siqi, who had remained unbeaten this season. After dominating the opening game 11–5, the young Indian saved game point in the second and clinched it 11–10 to complete a straight-games win. Her victory marked the first time Fan had lost a tie this season and set the tone for U Mumba’s overall triumph.
Team Contributions and Tactical Brilliance
The contest began with Lilian Bardet securing a 2–1 win over Kirill Gerassimenko, giving U Mumba early momentum. This was followed by a tightly contested mixed doubles match where Akash Pal and Bernadette Szocs edged out Payas Jain and Yangzi Liu 2–1, extending U Mumba’s lead.
Though Payas Jain responded with a 3–0 win against Manush Shah to briefly revive Chennai’s hopes, U Mumba’s Bernadette Szocs sealed the tie with a commanding 3–0 win over Poymantee Baisya in the final women’s singles match.
U Mumba’s Rise in the Standings
With this victory, U Mumba moved to second place on the Season 6 leaderboard, trailing only the Jaipur Patriots. The win also underlined the team’s depth and ability to overcome stiff international competition, bolstered by young Indian talents like Ghorpade.
A Star in the Making
Ghorpade, who was part of the Goa Challengers’ title-winning squad in Season 5, continues to emerge as one of India’s most promising table tennis players. Currently ranked in the top 100 globally, her breakthrough win over Fan Siqi signals her readiness to compete at the highest levels.
As UTT Season 6 unfolds, U Mumba’s form and Ghorpade’s continued rise could play a pivotal role in shaping the league’s final stages.
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